Avensis Spare Wheel Question

[Adam Zapple]

Hi

I'm seriously considering buying an Avensis and I need some advice please. Reliability is my number one priority and I have four cars on my shortlist. They are the Toyota Avensis, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Celica. I'm prepared to spend up to 4k. I've just been put off the Civic as I found out there's no spare wheel. I just don't like that concept so it's now crossed off my list. The Avensis is now favourite because I want room to carry things like my mountain bike. So my first question is, can anyone tell me whether the last model Avensis (around a 2005 model) has a spare wheel? Thanks.

[Duggerz]

The previous model avensis, designated T25 fits have a spare wheel. Honest John web site has plenty of useful information about real world reliability. Based on my experience I'd have another. Mine has done over 200k without any major work. Be careful though, the 2.2 diesels and to a lesser extent the 2.0 have head gasket issues until Feb 2009 manufacture, and even though only a small percentage of vehicles are affected, if you get one it will really ruin your day, potentially with needing to fit a new engine. Read up about symptoms and check what you are buying to avoid anguish. Other than that they are very reliable if a little unexciting. Mine has never needed any suspension work it's whole life, for example. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Heidfirst]

it should have a spare though it will probably be a space saver (certainly room for 1). On a car that old check the age/condition of the spare as supposedly tyres only have a shelf life of ~7 or 8 years.

The Avensis (especially in Tourer format) is the largest of those 4 cars.

[avensisd4d786]

2003-2009 have space savers. There is actually enough enough space to.fit a spare 16/17" full size wheel.

Cars built pre july 2005 petrols could have oil burning issues.. so aim.after this if buying a petrol. 4k should get you a facelift. These started mid 2006. These have indicators in door mirrors instead of wings

Diesels as mentioned pre 2006 2.0 1cd belt engine is reliable.

2006+ chain ad engine series could have headgasket failure. Although ive seen some with very high mileage for sale.

accord/ octavia/vectra/ mondeo/ passat are in the same segment as avensis.

[alan333]

My 05 plate (T2 spec) and my 55 plate (T3-S spec) both had full size spare wheels. Both were hatchbacks if it makes any difference.

[Adam Zapple]

The previous model avensis, designated T25 fits have a spare wheel. Honest John web site has plenty of useful information about real world reliability. Based on my experience I'd have another. Mine has done over 200k without any major work. Be careful though, the 2.2 diesels and to a lesser extent the 2.0 have head gasket issues until Feb 2009 manufacture, and even though only a small percentage of vehicles are affected, if you get one it will really ruin your day, potentially with needing to fit a new engine. Read up about symptoms and check what you are buying to avoid anguish. Other than that they are very reliable if a little unexciting. Mine has never needed any suspension work it's whole life, for example. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Is it just the diesels that suffer from the head gasket problem? I'm only looking to buy a petrol Avensis.

[alan333]

Diesels were prone to head problems, and petrols prone to the oil consumption issue. Diesels were reportedly fixed with the new model in 2009, and petrols reportedly around late 05. I've read of many more 1.8 petrols with the oil issue than the 2.0 petrols. If you're going for a 1.8 petrol make sure you get a post-facelift (2006 on) model and you should be ok.

[avensisd4d786]

03 t3 x full size d4d

04 t spirit space saver d4d

06 t2 space saver d4d

06 full size vvti

Where is the logic lol